This forecast area has a thinner snowpack than areas to the west. and in isolated areas, a basal facet layer is prominent.
There have been very few recent avalanches on this layer, and cold temperatures are expected to reduce its sensitivity; however, one person still triggered it on Tuesday, resulting in a waist-deep burial.
Basal facets or a facet/crust combination remain near the ground. It is most susceptible to triggering in thin-to-thick snowpack transition areas.
No new avalanches observed or reported in this region on Thursday.
However, on Tuesday, there was a skiier triggered size 2 in a steep, cross-loaded and thin snowpack alpine slope in the Lake Louise Ski Hill backcountry.
Surface hoar growth and faceting are widespread. Moderate to strong winds have blasted the alpine snow surfaces. The surface facetting is helping to a degree by creating soft snow in some areas.
Deeper in the snowpack is the layer of surface hoar, down 50-60 cm, and still producing moderate - hard, sudden planar test results, but no recent avalanches. At the ground, basal facets exist in thin snowpack areas, but overall, this year's deeper snowpack is stronger than usual.
A ridge of high pressure remains with not much change for the forecast period. Expect cold temperatures (-15 to -25), mostly clear skis and light NW winds increasing to strong on Saturday. There is hope for a bit of snow and warmer temperatures starting late next week!
